Specialist teams to remove asbestos from Junee rail corridor

A CONTROLLED operation will be carried out to remove asbestos material located within the rail corridor near Junee’s Kemp Street bridge site.

The removal operation was confirmed in a community notice circulated by Martinus Rail on Tuesday afternoon, October 21, advising nearby residents that asbestos had been found within the rail corridor near the corner of Edgar and Hill Streets.

“Martinus Rail has engaged qualified removalists Absolute Environmental Services Pty Ltd to remove this material safely,” the notice said.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Signs have been erected around the affected area, with removal works scheduled to take place between Thursday, October 23, and Wednesday, November 5.

When disturbed, asbestos can release microscopic fibres into the air. If inhaled, these fibres can cause serious and potentially fatal lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

All work will be carried out under strict controls and SafeWork NSW supervision, with officials assuring residents there is no risk to public health or safety.

Contaminated soil and materials will be carefully excavated, sealed, and transported for disposal, while all machinery and equipment will be decontaminated before leaving the site.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

While the safety risk remains low, residents have been advised that noise from excavation and machinery will be noticeable throughout the removal period.

“Unfortunately, some construction activities are inherently noisy which cannot be avoided,” the notice stated.

“Properties near these areas can expect to hear excavation activity involving the removal of existing surfaces such as rock, soil, and pavement.”

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The asbestos material will be removed during standard construction hours from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Inland Rail says residents in the area will be notified should there be any changes to the schedule.

The works form part of ongoing preparations for construction of Junee’s new Kemp Street bridge, a key component of the Inland Rail upgrade through the Riverina, and one of the town’s most significant infrastructure projects in decades.